Mosaic: detail of the Blue faction charioteer and horse

            Detail of one of four portraits in a larger mosaic, each depicting a colored chariot team faction: the Blues (here), Reds, Whites, and Greens. This closeup shows more detail in the costume of the auriga (charioteer) - particularly the colorful floral patterns on his sleeves. Other charioteers display sun and star signs, stripes, and vegetative scrolls. Each of the charioteers would drive a chariot that was brightly painted in the color of his faction. These auigae may have driven either a biga (two horse team) or a quadriga (four horse team, reserved for more experienced charioteers). The lead horse here seems to have a halter decorated in gold and silver discs. 

Each charioteer - usually freedmen or slaves - carries a whip and wears the typical short tunic and fasciae (tied ropes around the torso, for protection), as well as a helmet, which may have been protective or merely decorative. They also wore leggings, unusual for Romans. The aurigae wrapped the reins of the horses around their waists during a race, and carried a knife to cut themselves free if things went badly wrong (*if* they had time to even react). It was a dangerous sport, but charioteers could become incredibly wealthy and famous, even if the patricians looked down their noses at these athletes, who were associated with slavery.

Found in a cubiculum (bedroom) of the Severan villa in Baccano, at the 16th mile of the Via Cassia. The villa supposedly belonged to Publius Septimius Geta, brother to the emperor Septimius Severus.

Roman
First half of the 3rd century CE

Palazzo Massimo, Rome

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Taken on: October 26, 2022

Tags:

mosaic

pavement

aurigae

horses

horse

factions

Circus Maximus

Circo Massimo

Rome

charioteer

biga

quadriga

whip

freedmen

slaves

slavery

athletes

reins

cubiculum

Severan

villa Baccano

via Cassia

Septimius Geta

ancient

Roman

Palazzo Massimo « less

Sets appears in: • Roman chariot racing • Ancient mosaics more » • Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, Rome « less

Groups appears in: • Museum • Antiques Mosaiques - Ancient Mosaics more » • Roman Empire • Rome, Italy • Roma - Rome • The Ancient World • Chiron, CC images of the Classical World • World Archaeology & Arts/ΑΡΧΑΙΟΛΟΓΙΑ&ΤΕΧΝΕΣ-Rea • Museums of the World • World Archaeology • Ancient Greek and Roman Art • Ancient / Archaeological • Ancient Polychromy « less

Camera: Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, f/2.8, 1/50 sec, 9mm, ISO 320 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
Lens:	iPhone 13 Pro Max back triple camera 9mm f/2.8
Aperture:	f/2.8
Exposure Time:	0.02 sec (1/50)
Focal Length:	9mm
ISO:	320
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Adobe Lightroom 7.2 (Macintosh)
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